Profile of Lavanya Prabu

Lavanya is a senior and outstanding disciple of Smt. Rhadha (sister of Smt. Kamala Lakshman), one of the foremost exponents of the Vazhuvoor tradition. She started learning dance at the age of nine and had her arangetram at the age of 13. She has given many solo performances under the auspices of Nungambakkam Cultural Academy, Karthik Fine Arts, Kapali Fine Arts, Madras Wel Wishers Trust, Shivali Cultural Academy and Bharat Kalachar in Chennai. She has performed in Pollachi Thamizh Isai Sangam and in many other places in India. She danced at the International Congress on Oral Cancer in January 1994, which was well attended by delegates from various countries.

Lavanya played the lead role Uma in the segment Uma Parinayam in the dance ballet Jaya Jaya Devi performed all over India. This ballet was choreographed by her Guru to the musical composition of Vidwan Lalgudi Sri Jayaraman and was staged at many places in USA and Canada and later on in India.

She has also participated in Meenakshi Ammai Pillai Thamizh, Nowka Charithram and Bhavaye Padmanabham - well known dance productions of her Guru. Her performances have brought her rave reviews from connoisseurs and the press.

She won the first prize in Bharathanatyam at the state level competition in Tamil Nadu held among the matriculation schools in the year 1992 . She has also stood first in many other dance competitions , participated in lecture demonstrations and performed in teleserials based on Bharathanatyam.

Lavanya's performances in Chennai at Rasika Ranjani Sabha in 2002 and Narada Gana Sabha in 2003 brought her accolades from rasikas. She was also invited by the Bharathiya Vidya Bhavanin London to perform a 2 hour recital in September 2003. This performance brought her great appreciation and was telecast all over Europe.

Lavanya and her students have danced at the Meenakshi Temple in Houston during various festive occasions. Lavanya's solo and group performances in Houston under the auspices of Bharathi Kalai Mandram at The Wilhelmina Cullen Robertson Auditorium in Houston in Feb 2000 and the Stafford Civic Center in Feb 2005, respectively, have made her stand-out as a wonderful performer and an excellent teacher.Lavanya currently lives in Perth and runs a dance school by name Bharatham Dance Academy .